Tenants and Corporate Occupiers

One of the UK’s leading teams for tenant and corporate occupational work across all industries. Particular expertise in advising on office HQ moves.

Overview

Almost every business will occupy and use land or buildings. Many business-critical legal and technical issues can arise when occupying real estate, whether relating to ongoing asset management or strategic office or portfolio changes.

As one of the UK’s leading teams for tenant and corporate occupational work, with experience advising global and UK banks, many international corporates, law firms and global tech and communication companies, we understand the key challenges and obstacles your business might face in relation to office occupation and have live market intelligence that allows to manage these challenges with ease.

We can assist throughout the lifecycle of your occupation, from identifying and moving into new premises, dealing with issues during the term of a lease, to end-of-lease events such as lease breaks, assignment, dilapidations, reinstatement and relocation.

We have advised on numerous major office HQ projects in both the public and private sector. Our approach is to understand the context and your key drivers to ensure we provide relevant, consistent advice that guarantees your move is a smooth one.

Areas of focus

Strategic advice on space planning and use
Assisting with agreeing heads of terms
Lease and sub-lease negotiations
Procuring and delivering office fit-out
Non-contentious asset management
Rent Reviews
Rating Appeals
Lease Renewals
Exercising termination options
Terminal dilapidation claims
Landlord & tenant disputes

Experience

Competition & Markets Authority - Advising on agreement for lease and leases of c.113,000 sq ft across multiple floors of 25 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, and advising on fit out licences, collateral warranty package and the CMA’s exit from its previous HQ in Holborn.

King & Wood Mallesons - Advising on the lease of the 11th floor of 20 Fenchurch Street (the Walkie Talkie), along with fit out licence, construction advice and collateral warranty pack in relation to fit out, wayleave agreement and other ancillary documents.

St James’s Place Wealth Management - Advising in relation to the occupation and management of St James’s Place’s UK-wide office portfolio. Including strategic asset management advice on exit from and acquisition of multiple leases.

Global investment bank - Advising on transactional and contentious asset management (including planning and tax) and construction advice in relation to our client’s high profile London office portfolio.

Weatherbys Bank - Advising on Weatherbys Bank’s London office HQ in Sackville Street including negotiation of lease extensions, AFL, new leases, pre-emption arrangements over remainder of building, SDLT issues, landlord’s works obligations to common parts, and Construction Industry Scheme implications.

Avenir Global - Advising the global communication firm on the liabilities arising from its exit from its multi-site London premises and relocation to its new single site London HQ at Riverside House, adjacent to Blackfriars Bridge, including settlement agreements, agreements for surrender, agreement for lease with major landlord works, tenant fit-out contracts and associated warranty protection.

Historic England - Advising on Historic England’s new office premises at Fermentation Building North, Finzels Reach, Bristol including full due diligence, negotiation of conditional (on completion of landlord’s build) agreement for lease, new 14-year lease, fit out licence and collateral warranty pack.

Virgin - Advising in relation to management of Virgin’s UK property portfolio, including advice on the company’s exit from The Battleship Building, Paddington and 66 Porchester Road to move to its new HQ at Whitfield Studios, Fitzrovia.

Financial Conduct Authority - We are appointed to manage the FCA’s offices estate including its 425,000 sq. ft HQ in Stratford at the gateway to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Beauty Pie - We have advised beauty product brand Beauty Pie on its acquisition of new HQ office space at Colegrave House, 70 Berners Street. London. Beauty Pie, the first luxury beauty buyers’ club, has taken its new office space, by way of an underlease from Gamesys Group. The team supported Beauty Pie in both the real estate and construction aspects of its move.

Ordnance Survey - We have recently been appointed on a sole provider basis to act for Ordnance Survey in relation to all real estate matters on its UK portfolio. The appointment includes advising in relation to dealings with Ordnance Survey’s Southampton HQ building Explorer House and various landlord and tenant matters for other assets within the portfolio. Advice includes MOTO under the Civil Estate Occupancy Agreements and sub-leasing surplus office space.